29 September 2026 News

Entertainment : Taiwan entertainer Ada (Chang Jing-xiang) has made his first foray into “AI avatars” during a career setback caused by military service issues, joining Faiya, an AI avatar interactive app designed specifically for Taiwan’s local lifestyle. The app was developed by Hao Feisi Keji (晧飛思科技) at a cost of tens of millions, integrating real-person IP, celebrities, cheerleaders, and popular film and television content, supporting multi-character group chats, image transfers, proactive selfies, call alarms, and a “search for me” function, allowing fans to chat with AI Ada 24 hours online. Ada stated that “AI avatars are not meant to replace the real person, but rather offer a new way to accompany fans 24 hours a day.” Faiya has also launched a cross-industry collaboration with the horror film “Zongxie 4: Kuntilanai” (director Liao Shihan, producer Zou Jiezhong), which has surpassed 73 million yuan in sales across Taiwan, transforming main characters including Kuntilanai, Auntie Yulan, Jiamin, Master Axi, Aguai, and Zhenhong into Q-version AI for multi-character group chat interactions with audiences. Wang Zu-xian, who has been out of the spotlight for 22 years, has exclusively licensed her portrait’s AI usage rights from her peak years in her twenties and thirties to NetEase, Inc.’s end-game 《 Tianxia 》 (《天下》), creating an all-AIGC short film “Qian Ying” through Volcano Engine Seedance 2.0’s multimodal reference system and NetEase, Inc.’s self-developed DM Monet canvas, recreating classic images such as Nie Xiaoqian and Bai Suzhen. She did not participate in live-action shooting and emphasized “we use AI, we are not used by AI,” with authorization strictly limited in scope and prohibited from use in live-streaming sales or film and television productions; all materials require her personal review. Actress Qi Wei has legally licensed her digital avatar for AI comic drama “Doomsday Summer,” with the female protagonist “Han Qingxia” sharing her facial features. She responded to external claims of financial hardship by stating she is unwilling to appear sanctimonious, while noting that rules in the AI creation field remain underdeveloped and she is not currently considering whether the drama can “make money,” but rather hopes that active licensing will give the market greater confidence. Performance artist You Benzhai had planned before his death to restore his youthful image as Jigong through digital human technology, participating in the production of a Jigong-themed micro short drama “Jigong the Fake Dragon Subduer” and serving as artistic director. The drama was announced by his daughter You Sihan in the capacity of project principal at Zhengzhou Wei Duanju Dahui (郑州微短剧大会), and after launch achieved 7.994 million plays on Douyin. After You Benzhai’s death, Jigong-related IP and Jigong Cultural Media Company were inherited by You Sihan and her brother, each holding 47.5% of shares. Actor Qin Niu Zhengwei has publicly stated that the entertainment industry should “demystify,” noting that the impact of AI and virtual persons on the industry is significant and an inevitable trend, with many actors transitioning to side businesses. Additionally, at Changshashi Shaoyang Shanghui (长沙市邵阳商会)’s nineteenth-anniversary annual meeting, the country’s first IP project themed on Shao merchant legends, “Baoqing Wharf,” was launched. The AI drama “Baoqing Wharf Season One,” produced by Hunan Qianzhen Huanjie Keji (湖南千帧幻界科技有限公司), adopts a “stories of Shaoyang people, performed by Shaoyang people” approach, inviting 37 Shaoyang-based entrepreneurs, respected figures, and ordinary citizens—including Yuan Shuxiong and his son Yuan Dan, lyricist, composer and singer of “Good Morning Longhuai,” tenor singer Zhang Yinglong, and world city tourism image ambassador Xia Yuling—for image capture. Through AI deep learning, facial features are replicated to build digital avatar model repositories, with digital avatars performing roles in the drama in their authentic selves. The drama is released in synchronization with the homonymous book compiled by Shaoyangshi Danganguan (邵阳市档案馆) and published by Hunandaxue Chubanshe (湖南大学出版社).

Marketing : Logistics platform Shunfeng Tongcheng (顺丰同城) has officially announced a new virtual IP spokesperson “Tong Xiaoxia,” continuing the image of frontline riders as the prototype, dressed in black and red professional cycling gear and wearing protective goggles and helmet. The character is defined as a triple-role personality carrier serving as brand spokesperson, user companion, and embodiment of rider spirit, and partners with female image “Tong Xiaoxia” to undertake multi-identity switching functions targeting consumers, merchants, and riders, with plans to load AI new capabilities in the future. SenseTime’s Ruying (如影) has launched “Ruying Yingxiao Agent (如影营销Agent),” composed of five major modules—digital human anchor, live stream control Agent, live stream operations Agent, shop operations Agent, and traffic allocation Agent—forming an end-to-end e-commerce operations closed loop. Ruying (如影) The digital human intelligent agent supports seamless handoff by digital avatars after prime-time livestreams by human anchors end, enabling 24-hour broadcasting. The technical team has achieved authenticity in product interaction through occlusion algorithms and expanded motion ranges. According to SenseTime, this product can achieve 20-fold efficiency gains in shop operations, and digital human livestreams average approximately half the GMV of human-hosted livestreams. At the Chongqing Wanyou Guochuang Rengongzhineng Jiajushenghuo Yingyong Chanyejidi (万有国创人工智能家居生活应用产业基地) launch event, the base clarified that AI technology scenario implementation will be the core, providing enterprises with AIGC content production, digital human livestreaming, and intelligent customer service, and launched a “Retired Veterans AI Digital Entrepreneurship and Innovation Cooperation Plan.” Meanwhile, large-scale abuse of AI model images has emerged in China’s e-commerce sector. A reporter’s investigation found that flagship shops of well-known brands including I . T (I.T), MLB, SPAO and online shops with millions of followers are extensively using unmarked AI-generated model videos and images, with some AI model images displaying technical flaws such as “three hands” and distorted poses yet lacking AI generation labels, allegedly violating the “Methods for Labeling AI-Generated and Synthetic Content”; some shops including “CatumKezaf Brand Store,” “American CatosKmax Brand Store,” and “American Crossforce Brand Official Store” use AI-generated fake storefront photos and fabricated Olympic champion endorsement images. Experts point out such conduct allegedly constitutes false commercial advertising and consumer fraud. Additionally, Baidu’s AI tool “Baidu Yijing (百度一镜)” has been used by content creators in e-commerce scenarios, replacing people in overseas bestselling product videos by uploading personal photos while preserving backgrounds, movements, and expressions and supporting one-click English voiceover generation, enabling low-cost “cloning” of bestselling videos.

Cultural : Shenzhenshi Wenhuaguan (深圳市文化馆) The new venue officially commenced trial operations with the design concept of “Cultural Vessel · Art Village in the Cloud,” launching the virtual digital human “Wenzhouzou” to provide citizens with online and offline services including guided tours, science popularization, and activity consultation, complemented by an SOC digital twin command center, an AI photo studio, and AR immersive experience projects to construct a digital-smart cultural service ecosystem. During Sichuansheng Wenhua He Lvyou Fazhan Dahui (四川省文化和旅游发展大会), the Chengdu exhibition area showcased the “AI Du Fu” digital human, combined with the Jinsha Heritage sand table and innovative Shu brocade costumes to present the “Park City · Happy Chengdu” theme; in Chengdemei Ziwenlv Zhaoshang Tuijie Huodong (成德眉资文旅招商推介活动), Sichuan Tianfu Xinqu Wenchuang Huizhan Ju (四川天府新区文创会展局) Deputy Director Mali Ma presented in a “promotion official plus digital human” dual-channel format, highlighting key cultural tourism scenes including Tianfu Shuzi Wenchuangcheng (天府数字文创城) and Xi Bocheng (西博城). Hangzhou Yuhangqu (余杭区) launched the nation’s first AI travel companion agent supporting high-precision indoor and outdoor localization interaction by leveraging the “AI + cultural tourism” industry alliance, allowing tourists to scan QR codes to receive location-based personalized explanations and cultural creative recommendations, and linking with Rokid Glass3 smart glasses to achieve “watch-and-ask” bidirectional interaction and multi-language translation guide services; Qiushi AI Tansuo Guan (求是AI探索馆) combined immersive scripted murder mysteries with science popularization, with tourists playing “AI restoration specialists” and cooperating with robots and digital humans to complete plot tasks. In Nanping, Fujian’s second “Path to Success” research and study activity, a Zheng Chenggong digital human and the “Zheng Chenggong’s Campaigns in Northern Fujian” AI series shorts were launched based on research achievements in Zheng Chenggong culture, allowing historical figures to integrate into contemporary cultural life in digital form. During the finals of Suzhou, Jiangsu’s “Shining True Self” Teamfight Tactics Women’s Championship, the game virtual character “Fatty Dragon” entered Suzhou’s ten iconic locations and interacted alongside classical gardens and water-town lanes, while the main venue Wanxiang Tiandi provided exclusive esports portrait photo experience generated by AI technology; concurrently Suzhou Wenhua Yishu Zhongxin (苏州文化艺术中心) launched Suzhou’s first XR immersive cinema hall, introducing the “Follow Along · Long March” series of large-space walking-positioning immersive projects where experiencers embody “Red Army soldiers” in first-person perspective, and within the interactive space could see the virtual images of companions, achieving multi-person “complete presence” historical experience. Wuhan Yeshengdongwu Wangguo (武汉野生动物王国) launched the zoo’s first real-scene RPG technology drama game “Eternal Night Mountain Sea” during the National Day period, incorporating AR technology based on the “Classic of Mountains and Seas,” and introducing AR card summoning functions that enable virtual figures to pose for cross-temporal collaborative photos and other gameplay mechanics.

Enterprise : In the medical and health AI services sector, Baidu the major health platform processes 300 million daily medical and health searches, leveraging an “AI plus real-person dual-end ecosystem” to build entry points including health education, online consultation, pharmaceutical cards and digital pharmacist avatars, connecting AI-side cognition with offline retail terminals; Heye Jiankang (荷叶健康) founder and chairman Li Meng introduced that the company is exploring specialized digital counterparts with top-tier hospital experts, combining their image, voice and reviewed professional knowledge under the experts’ authorization for pre-consultation services, symptom collection and triage guidance, while the company provides AI-assisted consultation, prescription review and benefit verification technical support for Shaoxing, Zhejiang’s “Yuehuibao (越惠保)” and Jinan’s “Qilu Bao 2026 (齐鲁保2026)” beneficiary protection insurance projects, with Taipingyang Renshou (太平洋人寿) and other institutions assuming insurance liability, forming a commercial health insurance and AI technology integration implementation model. Health management enterprise Jing Boshi (静博士) and its subsidiary Ai Wo Keji (爱我科技) released the “MYAI intelligent life quality steward” at the fifth Global Digital Trade Expo, with executive vice president and CEO Lou Chang proposing the concept of “providing each person with a digital counterpart,” constructing a three-tier data foundation through high-frequency device data from smart rings and handheld detection devices combined with large-scale health checkup and genetic testing data, and presenting four AI steward roles—data manager, health consultant, action planner and life guardian—through the image of an “AI wellness carrot,” currently operating 100 smart stores across the province. Insurance enterprise Xinhua Baoxian (新华保险) jointly launched with operational centers the “Double-Recording Standardized Operations Mini-Class” series of digital human short videos, using digitalized form to explain to front-line employees key procedures including environmental setup, regulatory explanations, workflows and information verification before double-recording. State-owned enterprise Hebei Guangdian Wuxian Chuanmei (河北广电无线传媒) disclosed its self-developed AI-based digital human interactive system, having completed digital human image acquisition and modeling, hairstyle and clothing design, skeletal motion binding and interactive scenario development, building an interaction engine combining large language models and multimodal models, capable of seamlessly integrating into pan-screen applications such as IPTV set-top boxes, OTT and smart terminals to enable real-time interaction.

Gaming : A company in Xiangjiang New District of Changsha Wondershare, leveraging audio-visual technology accumulated at a global R&D center, has independently developed the “Wondershare Skybox” audio-visual large model and integrated multiple leading video large models into an industrialized production line. Its flagship product “Wanxingbo Bao (万兴播爆)” comes equipped with over 300 AI digital humans and supports more than 40 languages, enabling users to generate digital human marketing videos within minutes from text input. Founder Wu Taiping stated that this initiative is “democratizing” video creation capabilities, with the system having reached over 200 countries and accumulated more than 2 billion active users. NetEase, Inc. Cloud Music founder Wang Shimu, after leaving Tencent, established Quanling SEELE (全灵SEELE), focusing on AI-generated 3D games and interactive entertainment content. The company first validated demand for 3D virtual character interactions with a product similar to “3D version Character AI,” then progresses toward story-driven game generation. The team comprises large model and computer graphics experts from Tencent, ByteDance, and Alibaba, having secured tens of millions of dollars in Pre-A round financing led by Baidu’s strategic investment. In Guangzhou’s artificial intelligence sector, Shuo Gu Keji (烁谷科技) in Pazhou, Haizhu District, is led by “Gen-Z” founder Xie Weiduo, having launched the world’s first “Wusheng Yuyin Hecheng Da Moxing (悟声语音合成大模型)” specialized for autonomous interaction and live streaming engagement of virtual IPs and digital humans, capable of cloning any vocal tone within 2-3 seconds of audio and replicating tone, speech rate and breathing. The company also developed “Yuanyu Wenzi Da Moxing (元语文字大模型)” tailored for virtual IP and digital human interaction scenarios, which can identify user emotions and intentions and understand specific IP settings, earning it the reputation of being a “humanistic” “digital companion.” The “Fuxingdao (复兴岛) Cup” Global AI Music Challenge in Yangpu, Shanghai Fuxingdao (复兴岛) has set up a digital human music visual interpretation track, encouraging participants to use AI digital human tools combined with original music to produce digital human performances, singing and dancing, and real-scene mixed-cut MVs. The event is hosted by V Juchang · AI Kaifang Mai (V聚场·AI开放麦) and Fuxingdao (复兴岛) OPC Spark Community.

Ethical Contexts : Multiple media outlets including CCTV News have continuously exposed chaos in which AI digital humans impersonate healthcare workers and domain experts to sell drugs and health supplements. In a contact lens advertisement released by an AI short-drama production company, an AI digital human claimed in the first person, “My contact lenses have been comfortable to wear all day,” triggering widespread netizen questioning of how a virtual image without physiological perception could recommend medical devices that directly contact the cornea. The advertisement was delisted after trending with “AI short-drama female lead 60-second ad quote 25.8 million yuan”; journalists’ investigations further revealed that numerous AI digital humans appearing as “healthcare workers” and “domain experts” promote eye disease treatments and hair-care drugs and supplements, with videos filled with exaggerated claims like “eliminate from the root” and “complete cure” as well as so-called “scientific experiment” scenes. Some mobile applications claim “AI videos one-click generated, hit-product replication,” where uploading a single photo can generate a digital human sales video within minutes, without setting generation restrictions for high-risk content such as medical professional images, and even offer “watermark removal” functions. Zhongguozhengfadaxue Wangluo Faxue Yanjiusuo (中国政法大学网络法学研究所) Institute director Li Huaisheng pointed out that if digital humans express unique experiences that only real people can have (such as “the food tastes particularly good”), this may constitute false advertising; Zhongguoshehuikexueyuan Faxue Yanjiusuo (中国社会科学院法学研究所) researcher Zhi Zhenfeng emphasized that contact lenses as Class III medical devices fall in the same regulatory risk category as cardiac pacemakers and artificial joints, and Article 16 of the Advertising Law explicitly prohibits medical, pharmaceutical, and medical device advertisements from using endorsers for recommendations and testimonials, and AI digital humans lack the qualifications to actually test products and generate objective experiences; Zhongguokejidaxue Shengming Xueyuan (中国科技大学生命学院) associate professor Li Xu warned that such false propaganda could lead cardiovascular disease patients to believe in “miracle drugs” and arbitrarily discontinue regular medications, putting themselves at high risk. Experts from multiple fields have jointly called for regulatory authorities to adopt “penetrating” thinking to clarify the responsibility chains among advertisers, advertisement publishers, endorsement agencies, and AI digital human production organizations, ensuring traceability of who produces digital humans, who writes scripts, who operates accounts, who purchases traffic, who sells products, and who ultimately profits. Platforms need to upgrade intelligent risk control and semantic recognition models to conduct front-end interception of content that impersonates professional identities and fabricates experiences; regulatory departments should establish clear legal boundaries for AI advertising through mandatory labeling, front-end review, and rapid response mechanisms.

Academic : Central University for Nationalities Professor Guo Quanzhong from the School of Journalism and Communication, in collaboration with Master’s student Yuan Yue, published research selecting 12 Gen Z users of AI chatbots for in-depth interviews to analyze the impact of AI chatbots on the social practices of this demographic. The study found that AI chatbots, leveraging anthropomorphic design, pressure-free confession spaces, and personalized support, construct emotional compensation pathways for Gen Z, manifesting in three layers of compensation: emotional catharsis, emotional security, and emotional cognition. However, long-term reliance on such compensation breeds risks of social degradation, leading users to experience cognitive shifts from “the social mirror self” toward “the algorithmic mirror self,” behavioral withdrawal marked by declining offline social willingness, weakened empathy and communication abilities, as well as issues of relationship alienation through the shallowness and instrumentalization of real intimate relationships. The research cited data from Just So Soul Research Institute’s “2025 Gen Z AI Usage Report,” showing that 71.1% of Gen Z are willing to befriend AI virtual personas, with nearly 40% of young people obtaining emotional companionship through AI daily, and Gen Z possessing an average of 1.8 “AI friends” per capita. Based on this, researchers recommend guiding youth groups toward rational use of intelligent companionship tools and constructing a healthy social ecosystem of human-machine symbiosis.